LeBron James to Miss Start of Lakers Season with Sciatica

LeBron James to Miss Start of Lakers’ 2025–26 Season Due to Sciatica

Los Angeles Lakers fans received a major blow today: LeBron James has been ruled out for the start of the the 2025–26 NBA season because of sciatica in his right side.

At age 40 and entering a record 23rd NBA season, James’ absence poses both a challenge and a test of depth for the Lakers.

🩺 What Is Sciatica & How It Affects Athletes

Sciatica refers to nerve pain that radiates down from the lower back, through the buttock, and into the leg — usually caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve.

In James’ case:

• He’s dealing with nerve irritation in the right glute / buttock area.
• His condition is being reevaluated in 3–4 weeks, meaning he may miss 5–6 games or more.
• He has not participated in full practices since training camp began, and has already missed preseason games.

At this stage, the Lakers emphasize a cautious approach rather than rushing LeBron back.

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⏱️ Timeline & What He Will Miss

Here’s what’s expected in the coming weeks:

Timeframe	Likely Status
Next 3–4 weeks	LeBron will remain sidelined while undergoing treatment and monitoring.
Season Opener (Oct 21 vs Warriors)	He is expected to miss opening night.
First several games	He may be absent for the first 5–6 games, possibly more depending on recovery.
Return window	Reassessed after 3–4 weeks — return will depend on his treatment response.

This is perhaps the first time in LeBron’s storied career that he is widely expected to miss the season opener due to injury

🏀 Implications for the Lakers & Team Strategy

LeBron’s absence is a major disruption for a Lakers roster built around his leadership and two-man chemistry with Luka Dončić. Key consequences:

• Offensive structure & leadership gap: Without LeBron, playmaking, clutch scoring, and inside-out balance will need adjustment.
• Greater roles for others: Players like Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart, and Jarred Vanderbilt may see expanded minutes and usage.
• Load on Dončić: With LeBron sidelined, Luka must shoulder more offensive and leadership burdens.
• Team chemistry & timing: Training camp and preseason were intended to integrate rotations with LeBron — those plans are now altered.
• Risk management: At 40 years of age, LeBron’s health is paramount — the Lakers are unlikely to rush him to avoid exacerbation.

Coach JJ Redick has said LeBron is “on his own timeline,” signaling no pressure to return before fully healed.

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🧾 LeBron’s Recent Performance & Career Context

• In the 2024–25 season, LeBron averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists — showing he remains among the league’s top players.
• This will be his 23rd season in the NBA, a record for most seasons by any player.
• LeBron previously faced foot, ankle, and knee issues in recent seasons, so managing his lower-body health has always been crucial.
• The injury and absence raise questions about longevity and how many more high-level seasons he can sustain.

In a significant blow for the Lakers’ ambitions, LeBron James has been ruled out for the start of the 2025–26 season with sciatica in his right side. At 40, LeBron enters his record 23rd NBA season, but the injury is expected to keep him off the court for 3–4 weeks, including the season opener vs Golden State on October 21. Coach JJ Redick has emphasized a cautious return, leaving the Lakers to navigate early games without their cornerstone star.

📌 Stay tuned to TruthFrontier.com for updates on his progress, team adjustments, and return status.